A Lifeline for Domestic Violence Survivors in Myanmar's Karen State

The rising tide of conflict, displacement, and economic woe is taking a heavy toll on communities across Myanmar. In these tumultuous times, women and girls have become more vulnerable to domestic and gender-based violence. Safe houses and a network of community case workers operated by Community Partners International (CPI) partner, the Thandaunggyi Women’s Group (TWG) in Karen State, Myanmar, offer support, sanctuary, and an opportunity to rebuild shattered lives.

“The most common cases are domestic and gender-based violence, but we also see some cases of child sexual abuse.”

“The term “safe house” means a shelter both mentally and physically,” explains Thinzar, who supervises the Thandaunggyi Women’s Group (TWG) safe house in Hpa-An, the capital of Karen (Kayin) State in Myanmar. “This concept has a very deep meaning for us. We provide counseling, psychosocial support, income-generation activities, and awareness sessions on legal issues to women who need shelter.”

TWG’s Hpa-An safe house can accommodate up to 10 women at a time. The location is kept strictly secret. “The most common cases are domestic and gender-based violence,” reveals Thinzar, “but we also see some cases of child sexual abuse.”

“When a survivor first arrives at the safe house, we meet and counsel them to find out how they are feeling,” continues Thinzar. “We refer them to our partner clinics if they need medical care. We can also help them obtain legal advice. We provide them with tailoring, cooking, crocheting, and handicraft training to help them to earn income.”

“Survivors can stay at the safe house for at least three months to stabilize their situation and feel safe,” explains Thinzar. “Then we follow up to find out if it’s safe for them to return. Sometimes, family members refuse to allow a survivor to return because of the circumstances of the case. In these situations, we can extend their stay at the safe house to six months while we figure out a plan of action for them to find work and be independent.”

Sometimes, though, women at risk refuse the option of a safe house. “In those cases, we provide medical support, social support like rice, oil, and cash, and a travel allowance to receive medical care,” confirms Thinzar. “We also give awareness sessions on their rights.”In my opinion, around eighty percent of women in these communities have experienced domestic violence and abuse.”

Women and girls needing help are identified through community links and a network of community-based case workers who work with TWG. Caseworker Mi Nge has worked to protect women and children for seven years.

“In my opinion, around eighty percent of women in these communities have experienced domestic violence and abuse,” she states, “but some of them won’t disclose it. Domestic violence is used by women’s intimate partners to subordinate and control them. Because of social norms, some men don’t even know that what they are doing is domestic violence. Some survivors also are not aware of the concept. That’s why it’s so rampant. The marginalization of women in our communities is one cause of the violence and abuse.”

Caseworkers like Mi Nge have to be very discreet and careful in their work. “We never visit survivors at home because their partners can become threatening and aggressive towards us,” she reveals. “So we meet with them in safe places.” The exception is in cases of child abuse. “For those,” Mi Nge confirms, “we go straight to the home.”

When meeting a client, Mi Nge has to assess their situation and needs. “We make determinations based on survivors’ physical, mental and economic states.” However, Mi Nge often meets with resistance from survivors when she recommends the safe house. “Most of the women refuse at first because they have children and they don’t want to leave their husbands. So, we counsel them and make them aware of the risks of staying. If they consent, we refer them to the safe house.”

Mi Nge and her colleagues encounter many difficult situations but their work can often better outcomes. “I remember one woman whose husband often used drugs and abused her, “ she recalls. “One night, he fractured her skull and inflicted many other injuries. She ran away with her children and we received information from a villager about where she was hiding. We immediately reached out to her and brought her and her children to the safe house. She stayed about two months and during that time, we spoke with her husband. He regretted his actions and apologized to his wife. Eventually, she decided to return home.”

“Due to the increasing conflicts in this area, we have challenges reaching survivors and it’s difficult for them to reach us safely,”

Mi Nge’s colleague, caseworker Win Win Htay, recalls another woman that she helped, “Her husband used drugs and abused her mentally and physically not only at home but also in front of the garment factory where she worked. She contacted us one night and I brought her urgently to the safe house. She stayed for three months at the safe house and then we found her a job at a garment factory in another township. She still contacts me occasionally to thank me.”

While TWG refers survivors for legal advice, the complications of the legal system often deters them from pursuing cases. “Some women want a divorce and we refer them to legal support,” explains Win Win Htay. “But after talking with a lawyer they are afraid to continue because they need to go through many steps with hospitals, police and government departments to build evidence. They are not familiar with these processes and don’t want to continue. That’s really frustrating for us.”

The escalating crisis in Myanmar is directly impacting women’s and children’s safety. “There are many people displaced by conflict,” confirms Mi Nge. “Most of them are not in internal displacement camps, but staying with relatives in villages where they feel safe. But we’re seeing more cases of rape. The economic situation is causing poverty and stress within families and that can also cause domestic violence.”

“Due to the increasing conflicts in this area, we have challenges reaching survivors and it’s difficult for them to reach us safely,” adds Win Win Htay. “Sometimes, I have to turn back from the checkpoints. Luckily, I have many community connections that I can use to identify domestic violence cases in conflict-affected areas. Community leaders contact me when they come across suspected cases.”

Protecting survivors of domestic violence comes at a psychological cost for caseworkers. “Sometimes I can’t sleep because of the stress,” reveals Mi Nge. “TWG provides training on mental wellbeing and sometimes we counsel each other among the staff.”

“It definitely affects our mental health,” Win Win Htay agrees. “We deal with very difficult cases and we hear about all kinds of bad things from survivors.”

However, the staff of TWG are determined to continue their vital work. “This work is my passion,” confirms Win Win Htay. “I want to help women understand their rights, build their confidence and live independently so that they can overcome their problems. The safe house is very important for survivors and I’d like to thank all those who help them.”